Gustave Solomon (born
October 27, 1930, died January 31, 1996) was a mathematician and
engineer who was one of the founders of the algebraic theory of
error-correction. He received Ph.D. in Mathematics at MIT in 1956
under direction of Kenkichi Iwasawa.
Solomon was best known for developing, along with Irving S. Reed,
algebraic error-detecting and error-correcting codes known as
Reed-Solomon error correction. These codes protect the integrity of
digital information, and have had widespread use in modern digital
storage and communications, from space communication to digital audio
compact disc.
He was also one of the co-creators of the Mattson-Solomon polynomial
and the Solomon-McEliece weight formulae. He received with Irving Reed
the 1995 IEEE Masaru Ibuka Award.
Anecdotes
Gus Solomon, in his later years, consulted at the Jet Propulsion
Laboratory in Pasadena, California. He was very interested in opera
and in theater, and even wanted to get minor acting parts himself,
perhaps in television commercials. Between assignments in the
Communications Research Section at JPL, he taught foreign-born
engineers English by exposing them to music from American musical
productions. He believed in enhancing health and feelings of
well-being through breathing exercises, and was a practitioner of the
Feldenkrais method. Gus used the mind-body connection philosophy of
the Feldenkreis method to teach voice lessons. He had a strong love
for music, and was a composer as well. |
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